Staff: ADUs cannot be sold separately unless parcel is subdivided and rezoned

A resident raised a question during the community meeting about whether an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) could be sold separately from an existing home on the property. The resident (identified in the transcript as Ron) said he had two homes on his 45 acres and asked about selling an ADU with 10 acres. County staff (addressed as Amber in the meeting) responded that ADUs cannot be sold separately as part of the same lot: "You can't sell an ADU separately," staff said, adding that a sale would be possible only if the ADU were made part of its own lot by subdividing the parcel and completing any required rezoning.

Staff explained the practical path for a homeowner who wants to separate an ADU and sell it: the property owner would need to subdivide the parcel (creating a distinct lot for the ADU) and pursue rezoning as necessary so the new lot complies with regulations. The staff member also said that ADU size rules differ depending on acreage — on lots of 20 acres or more ADUs face fewer size restrictions, while on smaller lots ADU size limits apply. The staff member invited follow-up conversations for individual, unique situations and offered to speak with residents after the meeting for case-specific guidance.

The exchange clarified a common point of confusion for landowners considering ADUs and potential sales: the presence of an ADU on a lot does not by itself create an immediately saleable separate parcel.